Events 2019

Our initial programme of special events is shown on the calendar of train services for 2019, and details of each of these events are given below.

In addition, other events may well be organised during the year in conjunction with our ordinary train operations. Watch out for details of these extra events, which will be added to this page as the dates for them are fixed.

If you are interested in some of the previous events that we have run, then details of selected ones are available, and a separate page describes these.

Community Day, and Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 13th April 2019

Come and find out about local groups. Perhaps get involved?

We hope that at least the following organisations will be represented:

Friends of Middleton Park,

South Leeds Archaeology Society,

Voluntary Action Leeds,

The Greyhound Trust,

West Yorkshire Police,

West Yorkshire Fire Brigade (perhaps even with a Fire Engine attending 11.00 to 12.00 and 2.00 to 3.00, unless it is called away to deal with a fire).

Heritage Diesel trains will be running. Click here for more details of these.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply, with fares concessions for passengers from our local community.

Easter Bank Holiday

Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd April 2019

Free chocolate for Easter

For children travelling on the train services and accompanied by a fare-paying adult, we will be giving away free chocolate.

Steam trains will run on all three days, and our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Charity Weekend

Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th May and Monday 6th May 2019

Support Marie Curie in Leeds

For our charity weekend there will be activities to support the work of Marie Curie in Leeds.

Steam trains will run on all three days, and our normal timetable will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Teddy Bears Specials, including Bluebell Walks

Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th May and Monday 6th May 2019

Come and Admire the Bluebells in Middleton Park

On each day some trains will be met at Middleton Park for a family-friendly walk round the Bluebell displays. Each walk will give you a chance to explore the woods and see the Bluebells with an experienced local guide.

Bring your teddy bear

There are special fare offers for children, with or without teddy bears, provided that they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Steam trains will run on both days, and our normal timetable will apply. A separate page gives more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 11th May 2019

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Murder on the Middleton Express

Wednesday 22nd to Monday 27th May 2019, and Wednesday 29th May to Sunday 2nd June 2019

A Murder Mystery set in the 1950s

Part show, part interactive mystery, part musical.

Produced by Front Room Productions, shown here in rehearsal. Click here for more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 8th June 2019

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Fathers' Day Weekend

Saturday 15th and Sunday 15th June 2019

Special Attractions for Fathers

An opportunity to ride on one of our locomotives and visit our workshops: aimed at fathers, but definitely not restricted just to them!

Our usual timetable and fares will apply, but with special charges for the footplate experiences. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Mixed Traffic Weekend

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019

Passenger and Goods Trains

This gala event will feature passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

On each day a special intensive service will operate, and special fares will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

The event will feature a variety of market stalls with arts, crafts and costumes, hot and cold food, birds of prey, charity tombola and "Coffee Jousting" displays.

Our usual steam trains will be running, and normal fares will apply, but with a charge if you are just coming to visit the market.

Steam trains will run on both days, and our usual timetable will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Model Railway Exhibition

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July 2019

See the models alongside the real thing

Now a well established event, the Model Railway Exhibition will feature both models and the real thing in action. There will be an opportunity to drive one of our locos, as well as see the museum full of layouts.

Steam trains will run on both days, and special ticket prices will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 10th August 2019

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Leeds Classic Bus Runday

Sunday 18th August 2019 (subject to confirmation)

Rides on vintage Leeds buses

We will be participating in this event, which will be the sixth in the series. It will see vintage Leeds City Transport buses (and others) running on a route through the city that links up local museums.

Steam trains will run, and our usual timetable and fares will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Heritage Open Days

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2019

Come and find out more about our industrial heritage

As our contribution to the nation-wide "Heritage Open Days" event, we will be offering tours of this historic site, on the railway where the world’s very first successful, load-hauling steam locomotive ran in the year of 1812.

The tours will run hourly from 10.00 to 3.00 p.m. on both days, and there is no need to book for them. They will take visitors through our history from the working of the coal outcrops in Middleton Woods in mediaeval times, via the country’s first wooden (horse-drawn) railway in the eighteenth century and the revolutionary steam loco “Salamanca” - arguably, Leeds’ premier contribution to the Industrial Revolution - to the present situation as the country‘s first standard-gauge preserved railway. After that, visitors will be welcome to buy a ticket and ride on our trains!

Heritage Diesel trains will run on Saturday and steam trains on Sunday. Our usual timetable and fares will apply. There is no charge for the tours.

Works Outing

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September 2019

Showcasing our own Locomotive Fleet

If it works, it will get an outing - or at least, that's the aim. The event will feature passenger trains and mixed trains operating over the whole line, including the little-used Balm Road branch.

On each day a special intensive service will operate, and special fares will apply. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Heritage Diesel Day

Saturday 12th October 2019

See a historic diesel locomotive in action

An opportunity to ride behind one of our historic diesel locomotives. Click here for more details of this opportunity.

Our usual timetable and fares will apply.

Star Rails

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2019

Our second Comic-Con style event!

Following on from the success of 2018's event, this event will feature special exhibits, sci-fi characters in costume (as shown in the picture here, taken in our display hall), and more.

Steam trains will run, and our usual timetable will apply, but special fares will be charged. A separate page will give more details of this event.

Mark New Year's Day

Fares: Adult £6.50; Children £3.00; Family £17.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children). (Note: single tickets are not available for this event.)

New Year’s Day tickets include unlimited rides (and a mince pie), and you do not need to return from Park Halt on the same train, so that if you wish to get off the train and go for a walk in the Park you are welcome to do so (but don't miss the last train back!).

After the Fire

Following the major arson attack on neighbouring premises, we have launched this appeal to help repair the damage to our rolling stock and buildings. Click here for more details. Click below to donate.

After the Fire

Following the major arson attack on neighbouring premises, we have launched this appeal to help repair the damage to our rolling stock and buildings. Click here for more details. Click below to donate.